Almost the first thing I saw of Delhi, at least in day light.
Outside front door of Dana's house
Date/Time: Mon 16 Jul 2007 10:54:04 PM CDT
Indian Take away
check out the cool, low impact packaging. But I guess not conveneint enough for USers. And my co workers keep warning me, stuff might be too spicey. So for, nope. Strike one for American stereotypes!
Date/Time: Wed 18 Jul 2007 03:08:21 AM CDT
Stepping out of the front door of PSI India, Delhi Headquarters
Chittaranjan Park, otherwise known as CR Park
Date/Time: Thu 19 Jul 2007 06:57:49 AM CDT
Looking out from PSI Porch
to C block market. Have not been in yet, working up the courage
Date/Time: Thu 19 Jul 2007 06:58:19 AM CDT
Momentary lull on CR
Don't let this fool you, the traffic is CRazy
Date/Time: Thu 19 Jul 2007 06:58:52 AM CDT
Liz looking quite dashing in her outfit from Rajasthan
actually the first outfit I bought and the first I wore
Date/Time: Sun 29 Jul 2007 11:58:51 PM CDT
Coworkers. I felt like Lizzilla
Chundrani, in red, is off to Harvard, to get her MPH. Seem to have a bit of a US/India exchange going in the office!
Date/Time: Sun 29 Jul 2007 11:59:08 PM CDT
Cowsboys! (they might be cowsgirls, or maybe one of each)
My gma Langthorn once told me a story about her boys thinking cows were called "cowsboys" because she would always say "Cows, boys!" when they saw cows,
Date/Time: Sun 22 Jul 2007 08:02:52 AM CDT
The front of my apartment building.
My floor has the awning
Date/Time: Tue 24 Jul 2007 07:25:24 AM CDT
Demolished house next to my building
The workers who are taking it down brick by brick with a sledge hammer also live here
Date/Time: Sat 28 Jul 2007 06:01:53 AM CDT
continuing bacony view, crickette/footie feild, dog wallow
Date/Time: Sun 22 Jul 2007 03:13:38 AM CDT
Another plumeria
trying to figure out how to take a cutting without being obvious
Date/Time: Sun 29 Jul 2007 06:04:12 AM CDT
Tailor on the sidewalk
The guy thought I was crazy for wanting his picture. He's there almost everyday. Look at that machine!
Date/Time: Sun 29 Jul 2007 06:05:23 AM CDT
Flaming Marogolds, Batman!
Almost every market corner has these for sale. What's up with that?
Date/Time: Sun 29 Jul 2007 06:05:43 AM CDT
Potted plants everywhere.
These are on the grounds of the Kali Mandir
Date/Time: Sun 29 Jul 2007 06:12:10 AM CDT
I love this front "yard" and red brick building
just around the corner of my block
Date/Time: Sun 29 Jul 2007 06:22:08 AM CDT
No idea the flower
But I thought how lovely to come home to that over your drive
Date/Time: Sun 29 Jul 2007 06:25:35 AM CDT
Construction equipment
I would not want to work on that scaffolding!
Date/Time: Sun 29 Jul 2007 06:27:17 AM CDT
Front bedroom or Internet room
I actually am squatting on someone else's wireless, but it only works in the back bed room. I don 't use this room.
Date/Time: Sun 22 Jul 2007 03:12:24 AM CDT
Bara Imambara, Lucknow
because I was "forgn" (they spelled it that way) they wanted me to spend Rs. 300. Everyone else had to pay Rs.25. Needles to say, I didn't buy a ticket.
Date/Time: Tue 31 Jul 2007 04:39:04 AM CDT
Me actually IN a picture
Day meeting in Lucknow was short enough for me to be a tourista!
Date/Time: Tue 31 Jul 2007 04:39:27 AM CDT
The whole potted plant fetish is kinda cool yet wierd.
But had to take a picture anyway of the plants on the steps of Bara Imambara
Date/Time: Tue 31 Jul 2007 04:41:12 AM CDT
Jayashree was sweet to take "snaps" of me as a tourist
Mostly, I think she wanted to document me in colour.
Date/Time: Tue 31 Jul 2007 04:43:51 AM CDT
I was in love with the archways
The arcade was so cool, considering it was probably 40 C ( 94 F) outside
Date/Time: Tue 31 Jul 2007 04:44:23 AM CDT
Bara Imambara
Otherwise knownas the Big Imambara and I'm not joking
Date/Time: Tue 31 Jul 2007 04:44:33 AM CDT
Public Works building
The Nawab of Lucknow had this building built in 1783, a year of massive famine as a WPA kind of thing to employ people
Date/Time: Tue 31 Jul 2007 04:53:22 AM CDT
Another lovely archway
I asked why green and was told it is an auspicious colour in Islam. I could see evidence of years of varying shades of green.
Date/Time: Tue 31 Jul 2007 04:53:39 AM CDT
Fretwork
I love architectural details. The windows at the top of the picture are part of a Labrynth that developed as a result of accomodating the swampy ground. Monty Python anyone?
Date/Time: Tue 31 Jul 2007 05:00:07 AM CDT
My new furniture
Rickshaw, mover of pretty much everything in Delhi
Date/Time: Sat 04 Aug 2007 03:18:35 AM CDT
Herd of cows on the Bipin Chandra
Think what would happen if you saw this on Classen or Canal! They were extremely docile and no I didn't pet them. Did not want to get mad cow disease or rabies or slobbered on ;)
Date/Time: Sat 04 Aug 2007 03:42:49 AM CDT
Ow! and again I say Ow!
She's gonna have a heck of a headache if she has to carry all those bricks on her head
Date/Time: Sat 04 Aug 2007 04:02:34 AM CDT
Another stage in the anatomy of a building
This is another picture of the same building, fewer sticks, more bricks
Date/Time: Sat 04 Aug 2007 04:23:36 AM CDT
Gate to a house on my block.
We just don't tart up our front gates quite like this!
Date/Time: Sat 04 Aug 2007 04:26:55 AM CDT
So I'm wondering if cow grafiti is auspicious?
Or do they just want to leave their mark in wet cement like kids do the world over?
Date/Time: Sun 05 Aug 2007 06:33:40 AM CDT
Not certain what They mean by STD
but I certainly don't want to go to that booth!
Date/Time: Sun 05 Aug 2007 06:53:01 AM CDT
This is a different driveway.
The people were outside, so I asked them if I could take the pictures. They invited me into their courtyard and served me chai.
Date/Time: Tue 07 Aug 2007 07:37:52 AM CDT
More from the Banerjee driveway.
They are a Bengali couple, retired. The paintings are for Diwali, the festival of Light.
Date/Time: Tue 07 Aug 2007 07:37:57 AM CDT
Diwali paintings, although I'm not certain why they are done
Held on Amavasya - the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (Aasho) (October / November), it is a national festival.
Date/Time: Tue 07 Aug 2007 07:38:14 AM CDT
The word "Diwali" is the corruption of the Sanskrit word "Deepavali"
meaning a row of light
Date/Time: Tue 07 Aug 2007 07:38:35 AM CDT
The light to welcome Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity
Date/Time: Tue 07 Aug 2007 07:39:11 AM CDT
Mahua
She was busy with the garden, but was kind enough to invite me in to take more pictures
Date/Time: Tue 07 Aug 2007 08:08:31 AM CDT
Mr. Banerjee
He's 91, born in Bengal, which does not exist any more. He worked for the Indian foreign service and has lived in Delhi since 1930!
Date/Time: Tue 07 Aug 2007 08:08:35 AM CDT
Their gardener
Not The Gardener ;) just their gardener. It was all I could do not to ask for some pots of dirt! (I have several plants rooting in bottles in the kitchen. Mellika has been kind enough not to laugh at me)
Date/Time: Tue 07 Aug 2007 08:08:44 AM CDT
Pantry guys
They bring us tea and clean up after lunch. Call me ma'am and salute in the morning. Sweet but Wierd!
Date/Time: Tue 07 Aug 2007 10:59:21 PM CDT
ICICI Bank (where I go to ATM)
These guys are not messing about!
Date/Time: Thu 09 Aug 2007 01:35:20 AM CDT
Building going up near mine
Kinda hope there isn't an earthquake, since I'm not certain many buildings would cope well
Date/Time: Thu 09 Aug 2007 07:44:29 AM CDT
Mallika
She's my drawing teacher. I've started taking sketching classes.
Date/Time: Fri 10 Aug 2007 08:57:01 AM CDT
Bird with chapatis.
not certain if he stole it or it was left
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 06:47:43 AM CDT
barbers everywhere
and it is their space. They are not itinerant (sp?)
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 06:50:18 AM CDT
Dana, my boss
hobbiest photographer. He's way more serious about it than me.
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:09:15 AM CDT
Dominoe's Pizza in Delhi
This looks like s infinitly repeating reflection. BTW, pizza is square here.
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:10:42 AM CDT
City forest
I go walking here with Dana and Gertrude on the weekends.
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:22:12 AM CDT
Chicken sellers on the Alaknanda
And, no didn't eat anythning
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:23:00 AM CDT
Sari scrap from Puja
Statues of goddesses like Kali, Lakmi, Durga are clothed in sarees, and at least once a year, the sarees are changed and the old one cut up and given out. People tie them to cars, motorbikes and bicycles. Not certain why it's on the bush.
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:25:07 AM CDT
Bike rickshaw carring cisterns
If you look at the pictures from my balcony, you can see black cisterns on the roofs of other buildings. Becasue the water supply here is...unreliable, people use cisterns, both aboce and below ground.
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:26:10 AM CDT
Yardage for "suits"
Women's kurta churidars or salwar kameez are called suits. Trouser, tunic, duppata (scarf)
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:34:38 AM CDT
Traveling broom seller
An earlier incarnation of traveling vaccuum salesmen?
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:35:43 AM CDT
Pots pots pots
The problem is I have no dirt to put in the pots to plant my findling plants. So until I have a dirt source, no pots. But Ugh! Want Pots!
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:40:39 AM CDT
Street blacksmith
At least, a tinker, since I couldn't smell or see the forge
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:45:20 AM CDT
People were friendly and very curious
And loved to have their pictures taken.
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:50:27 AM CDT
Further and further into the slum, and still there were good things, not just filth and despair
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:55:27 AM CDT
Walking up the wall of the fort
Built in 1321-1325, it was considered a significant strategic symbol of the Delhi Sultannate. Now, at least the part we were, it is the slum's dump and place to fly kites
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:56:13 AM CDT
No despair here!
Almost no one begged for money. The kids begged for photos!
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 07:59:28 AM CDT
Dana and Gertrude on the way out
We were the Pied Piper in the slum. I had to administer the Mom Look to get the kids to keep their hands down for the photos
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 08:04:39 AM CDT
Me
I wanted to take pictures of the girls, but it was so hectic, I didn't get a chance. However, Dana and I were talking about doing some PSI programs there.
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 08:05:01 AM CDT
Young guys were way cooler than the little kids
At least, in their minds. But they wanted their pictures taken too!
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 08:05:14 AM CDT
2.5 of us eating samosas and drinking coke at a nearby market
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 08:31:27 AM CDT
The other 2.5 of us
We had a good time and the samosas were good.
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 08:32:17 AM CDT
Seriously, you are required to Honk!
To turn, to pass, to piss someone off. Doesn't matter, use the horn!
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 08:50:50 AM CDT
Naan
My first attempt at naan with Celine's recipe. Not to shabby.
Date/Time: Sat 11 Aug 2007 10:08:52 AM CDT
I loved the little girl in colourful clothes in the colourful rickshaw
Date/Time: Sun 12 Aug 2007 07:40:38 AM CDT
This has to be an old sign
East Pakistan (formerly Bengal) has been Bangladesh since 1971
Date/Time: Wed 15 Aug 2007 05:36:48 AM CDT
Black marble with brass inlay
In front of a CLOTHING store!
Date/Time: Wed 15 Aug 2007 06:11:52 AM CDT
Some of the nuts and bolts of what we do
Had to laugh when I opened the cupboard. Alot of work is done to educate people on how to properly use condoms. You would be amazed at the misconceptions (no pun intended)
Date/Time: Thu 16 Aug 2007 12:37:04 AM CDT
Not certain if they are balloons or balls
But what a sight coming down the street
Date/Time: Sat 18 Aug 2007 05:51:50 AM CDT
Anurag and Sundhya
They invited me to dinner. They live a few houses down from me.
Date/Time: Sat 18 Aug 2007 09:54:54 AM CDT
3/5 of the Bhatia Family
They have the most wonderful rooftop! Absolutely in love with it
Date/Time: Sat 18 Aug 2007 09:55:01 AM CDT
Helping with the workshop presentation
Jayashree thought is a fine mess!
Date/Time: Mon 20 Aug 2007 07:28:22 AM CDT
Planing the Icebreaker
to start the workshop off with some fun. I think they were having too much fun in the planning
Date/Time: Mon 20 Aug 2007 08:32:23 AM CDT
Jayashree hard at work
Have decided to call her Fearless Leader after another one of my favorite people
Date/Time: Mon 20 Aug 2007 08:32:29 AM CDT
Sun dial
This tells the time of day in the morning in Delhi
Date/Time: Sat 25 Aug 2007 10:55:15 PM CDT
Another part of Jantar Mantar
Supposed to tell the time of any where one the world, right hald for norther hemisphere, left half for southern (I think)
Date/Time: Sat 25 Aug 2007 10:56:05 PM CDT
Snake charmer
This was going on outside the bus, so I had to take a picture
Date/Time: Sat 25 Aug 2007 11:43:04 PM CDT
Lotus Temple
Baha'i house of worship. Sidney opera house anyone?
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 12:54:21 AM CDT
Reflecting pools at Lotus Temple
I wanted to go swimming so badly, it was so hot!
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 01:02:37 AM CDT
Again at Qutub Complex
Thought to be a fine example of Afghan architecture, 12th Century
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 02:14:58 AM CDT
Qutub Complex
The story is Quubu'd Din-Aibak razed the Hindu and Jaine temples on this spot and built the first mosque in India
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 02:15:23 AM CDT
Qutub Minar
supposedly, the destroyed temples were recycled to build the new ruler's status symbols, of which this is one.
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 02:09:59 AM CDT
Me trying to take a picture
However, forgot to change the zoom
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 02:29:43 AM CDT
Exterior wall of the Red Fort
built by Shahjahan, 1639-1648
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 04:33:49 AM CDT
Loved the arches and columns of the public audience building
This would have been plastered with white lime stone plaster and then painted and gilded
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 04:55:20 AM CDT
Guest House
Behind me is the guest house of Shahjahan, for important guests.
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 05:02:15 AM CDT
Part of the guest house
As you can see, no walls. Not certain why. Also running through here is a channel for perfumed water
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 05:04:39 AM CDT
Rajghat
Where the cremated remains of Gandhi rest with an eternal flame. His black marble monument is engraved with He Ram (o god!), his apocryphal last words
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 06:19:10 AM CDT
Sitting at Rajghat
I got mugged by a bunch of kids wanting their photo taken
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 06:33:42 AM CDT
They all had to shake my hand
and take pictures with me. They would actually push each other out of the way to get into the picture. Baffling, believe me
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 06:33:52 AM CDT
There's me, hot and tired
But the sight was beautiful, probably the best maintained of all the sights
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 07:13:01 AM CDT
Okay, what's my thing with arches and doorways?
But they are soo cool looking! Humayun's Tomb is thought to be the prototype for the Taj Mahal
Date/Time: Sun 26 Aug 2007 07:15:17 AM CDT
Anca from Romania
Dancer and musician, specializing in traditional India dance. Took a while to take the pictures, because the American Center does Not allow photos anywhere in front of the building
Date/Time: Sat 01 Sep 2007 06:36:20 AM CDT
Goldilocks and the three cows
the dark lump behind the white cow is a baby
Date/Time: Sat 01 Sep 2007 08:06:13 AM CDT
Bamboo lumber
wonder where it orginated. think its mostly used for scaffolding
Date/Time: Sat 01 Sep 2007 08:11:11 AM CDT
Hotel Alaknanda, Hardwar
The view was fantastic, the rooms shabby. But who cares when we could walk down to the Ganga Canal. Maddy said it looked like Venice (yes, she's visited)
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 01:04:43 AM CDT
Ganga Canal Promenade
which became an outdoor hostel at night, with men wrapped up in their orange doti's, heads pillowed on tin begging plates
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 01:49:20 AM CDT
On the cable car to the Devi Temple
Managed to not freak out
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 02:08:22 AM CDT
Entrace of the Mansa Devi Temple
on top of Bilwar Parwat, have to ride a cable car to get there.
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 02:14:04 AM CDT
Flower offereings at the temple
buy one of these and place the flowers around statues of the gods. The roses smelled wonderful
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 02:14:17 AM CDT
In front of the main Devi shrine
Have some orange tika on my forhead after making an offering of flowers
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 02:22:05 AM CDT
Coconuts
After you make the flower offering (and money), you get a dot of colour (tika) on your forhead and a peice of coconut. I left mine for the monkeys
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 02:22:55 AM CDT
Fabric offerings
Rectangles of red and spangly cloth were tied every where in offering too
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 02:23:02 AM CDT
The guy in orange squeaked like a monkey
He put a lot of effort into his begging for rupes
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 02:29:25 AM CDT
Mandas Devi Temple from another temple on an adjacent hill
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 02:48:10 AM CDT
Yoga/guru center outside of Haridwar
Aruvedic medicine clinic, with lab and diasnostic facilities.
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 03:59:15 AM CDT
Temple to Shiva
He's mad in the statue because his wife Sati has just killed herself because her father would not acknowledge her marriage to Shiva...I think
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 04:32:41 AM CDT
Offering bowl made of some kind of leaf
You buy it full of flowers and put the flowers around the statues and lingams. I thuoght the bowl very cool
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 04:42:58 AM CDT
Statue of Shiva
in Haridwar, on the banks of the Ganga Canal
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 06:00:35 AM CDT
Part of the Har Ki Parum
Part of it, not certain which, was also called a Ghat (alt spelling Chat?)
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 07:18:48 AM CDT
MadE in the Ganges
We had a real debate about getting into the water
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 07:22:38 AM CDT
Liz in the Ganga
I'm in Public Health and she's in medicine, so both of us were thinking of all the nasty microbes to which we would be exposing ourselves
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 07:23:53 AM CDT
Lady bather
However, we decided that no one else was dropping dead, neither would we just from getting our feet wet
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 07:24:41 AM CDT
Accelernat or ignitable liquids
Otherwise known as Butter! They used cream to make butter on the spot to make wicks for offerings
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 07:49:04 AM CDT
Sending it out into the world
However, I didn't put quite enough force in my push so the lady in the red saree knelt down, chanting, wafted the water toward the flower boat, I joined in too. When it finally caught in the current we stood up and I said Namaste to her and she gave me a
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 07:50:35 AM CDT
After the Arti ceremony
people came up to the flaming butter and put their hands over the flame and then covered their faces. Rinse and repeat.
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 08:35:42 AM CDT
We had a fabulous dinner
I asked B to join us since she was by herself. Glad I did, we had such fun
Date/Time: Fri 07 Sep 2007 10:36:55 AM CDT
Trayambakeshwar Temple, Rishikesh
aath(8) stories of bells...and temple, but the important part was the bells
Date/Time: Sat 08 Sep 2007 12:59:42 AM CDT
Crossing the Lakshman Jhula
Jhula means bridge. It moved under my feet.
Date/Time: Sat 08 Sep 2007 01:00:55 AM CDT
The Char Dham Yatra (Four Shrines Sacred Journey) ideally begins from Rishikesh.
Its in the Dehradun district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
Date/Time: Sat 08 Sep 2007 01:01:28 AM CDT
It was hot and the water was cold
MadE was smart and had slip on shoes
Date/Time: Sat 08 Sep 2007 02:52:56 AM CDT
cricket in the water
trying to see how close and clear I could get
Date/Time: Sat 08 Sep 2007 03:04:12 AM CDT
And Lo
There are the monkeys! These are the ones who tried to mug me for the banana
Date/Time: Sat 08 Sep 2007 03:41:25 AM CDT
Two Germans (after a fashion)t
taking tea in the Rishikesh German bakery
Date/Time: Sat 08 Sep 2007 04:20:37 AM CDT
Nuimbu Pani or Onion juice?
There is some debate, but I;m told the white things are peeled numbu (citrus fruit) but they looked like onions from where I was sitting. And people eat onions here like fruit, so whose to say?
Date/Time: Sat 08 Sep 2007 04:42:41 AM CDT
Cheeky Monkey
Would climb up the wire, try to mug people and then leisurely slide out of reach. Did it several times. Absolutely adorable! Want a monkey!
Date/Time: Sat 08 Sep 2007 04:43:32 AM CDT
Tika powder
Have to wonder what are the constituent minerals. Would hate to think it's actualy vermillion, whih is Posionous!
Date/Time: Sat 08 Sep 2007 06:27:02 AM CDT
Bimbling about
in the middle of the route, people had a choice of easy or harder route. Dana, Gertrude and I took the harder route, everyone else walking took the Other one.
Date/Time: Sat 15 Sep 2007 07:11:11 AM CDT
To put it in perspective, Dana is at least 6 foot
Big Yucca!
Date/Time: Sat 15 Sep 2007 07:12:43 AM CDT
Waiting for the big man himself
The Korean lady kinda got Shanghied--she came to deliver paperwork for S.Korea travel visa!
Date: 09/19/2007
Statue to Poo
Made of dried human excrete and acrylic, it's one of 22 statues from artists in Mexico (or maybe New Mexico, seems more their style). The other 21 are being displayed somewhere in the US
Date: 09/19/2007
Handful of Poo to fling!
Actually, no, but Celine was afraid he was going to ask her to pick some up!
Date: 09/19/2007
Clean water
The water in the flask comes from the public toilet behind us, after sand, activated charcole and UV filtering
Date: 09/19/2007
The India Gate
War memorial to soldiers killed in Afghan Wars and WW I
Date/Time: Sun 23 Sep 2007 04:45:15 AM CDT
India Gate Mall
Only mad dogs and (decendents of) englishmen were walking up the mall, and the dogs were actually sleeping it off in the shade, so only Richard and I were walking about
Date/Time: Sun 23 Sep 2007 05:21:57 AM CDT
Government building
Built by the British about ten years before they ceeded independence
Date/Time: Sun 23 Sep 2007 05:24:13 AM CDT
Look close
That's me, dwarfed by the lane seperating mirror image government buildings
Date/Time: Sun 23 Sep 2007 05:30:01 AM CDT
New friends at the Jama Masjid
They sat down beside me and slowly crept close. The only word they knew was Hello, so we said that alot. Realy wanted their picture taken; how could I say no?
Date/Time: Sun 23 Sep 2007 06:38:00 AM CDT
Made us think of a town square
the name means "the mosque commanding a view of the world", it is set up on a hill and you can see a long way from all directions
Date/Time: Sun 23 Sep 2007 06:46:11 AM CDT
The actual mosque
Built by Sha Jahan of Taj Mahal fame in 1656 AD, it is one of the largest and best known mosques in India
Date/Time: Sun 23 Sep 2007 06:46:15 AM CDT
Big place
The courtyard of the mosque can hold up to twenty-five thousand worshippers.
Date/Time: Sun 23 Sep 2007 06:53:15 AM CDT
Vive Le Condom!
They asked me to say something, to start the condom van off with good wishes. Ack!
Date/Time: Sat 29 Sep 2007 06:46:58 AM CDT
I was the pied piper
People cam from everywhere to look at me
Date/Time: Sat 29 Sep 2007 11:08:39 PM CDT
Coming out of the nooks and crannies to see the Westerner
Date/Time: Sat 29 Sep 2007 11:10:18 PM CDT
The blue uniforms are for school children
However, most of those kids did not go to school. They wore it to get free midday meal from the local ASHA
Date/Time: Sat 29 Sep 2007 11:45:08 PM CDT
Effigies for something
but no one could explain them to me
Date/Time: Sun 30 Sep 2007 12:19:06 AM CDT
Paddy fields
Known to us in the west as a rice paddy. possible misnomer?
Date/Time: Sun 30 Sep 2007 12:21:20 AM CDT
Rice spread out on the roads to dry
The villagers didn't mind when we drove over it
Date/Time: Sun 30 Sep 2007 12:21:55 AM CDT
Bamboo splits braided together
then wound up to make brooms
Date/Time: Sun 30 Sep 2007 12:22:18 AM CDT
Old lady brandishing her bamboo knife
She insisted I take her photo, since she was an old woman and it would be auspicious. Check out the tattoos.
Date/Time: Sun 30 Sep 2007 12:23:24 AM CDT
Group photo
They were quite pleased with my minimal Hindi
Date/Time: Sun 30 Sep 2007 12:24:30 AM CDT
End of the male IPC training
They wanted a picgure with me to take back home. With me there, it was "international" training
Date/Time: Sun 30 Sep 2007 07:43:53 AM CDT
Beginning of the female IPC training
Had the feeling of a pep rally
Date/Time: Sun 30 Sep 2007 10:58:48 PM CDT
Jonha Falls
or Gautam Dhara, since the Buddha was supposed to have started his journey here
Date/Time: Tue 02 Oct 2007 12:21:31 AM CDT
I'm told during the summer dry season there is no water here
Date/Time: Tue 02 Oct 2007 12:23:48 AM CDT
After the climb up from Jonha Falls, they couldn't face the same at Sita Falls
Date/Time: Tue 02 Oct 2007 12:52:34 AM CDT
Stairs on the way to Sita Falls
Every one of them had decorative cuts of some kind, most had diamonds
Date/Time: Tue 02 Oct 2007 12:54:14 AM CDT
Getting ready to head out to the field
Wearing their Saadhan Didi uniforms
Date/Time: Tue 02 Oct 2007 09:10:50 PM CDT
The Asha (Accredited Social Health Activist) in lal (red)
Every village is supposed to have one, sponsored by the Government of India (GoI).
Date/Time: Tue 02 Oct 2007 10:50:29 PM CDT
Women attending the groud discussion
promoting birthspacing via modern contraception
Date/Time: Tue 02 Oct 2007 11:12:05 PM CDT
Courtyard of a house
Portchulaca is an auspicious plant to have in the home
Date/Time: Wed 03 Oct 2007 12:31:11 AM CDT
Love the wall texture
home of the melah (women's group) leader
Date/Time: Wed 03 Oct 2007 03:30:37 AM CDT
Jayashree and I were far more daring than the guys I went with previously
Date/Time: Wed 03 Oct 2007 11:41:34 PM CDT
But my companions freaked a bit when I started bouldering
Date/Time: Wed 03 Oct 2007 11:43:17 PM CDT
Walls of Tuglaqabad Fort
Dressed stone and rubble interior visible. ramparts and bastions as high as 15-30 m, walls 10 m thick in places
Date/Time: Sun 07 Oct 2007 04:51:06 AM CDT
Women working on the restoration of fort
Would make our archaeo colleagues ill
Date/Time: Sun 07 Oct 2007 06:30:33 AM CDT
Tomb of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq
(built the fort AND his own tomb)
Date/Time: Sun 07 Oct 2007 07:06:45 AM CDT
via Skype!
Will wonders never cease. It was a realy cool moment worthy of documentation
Date/Time: Mon 08 Oct 2007 11:39:44 PM CDT
Flower petal arrangement
welcoming people at India Habitat Center, where I went for a lecture on Durga
Date/Time: Wed 10 Oct 2007 09:18:27 AM CDT
Dancing with Gujarati women
for their festival equivalent to Durga Puja. Got a bit dizzy
Date/Time: Sun 14 Oct 2007 12:17:12 PM CDT
Whirling around
The sticks are characteristic of Gujarat. I'm told the dancers go quite fast normally. I went fast enough thanks
Date/Time: Sun 14 Oct 2007 12:34:41 PM CDT
What a great smile!
I went with a colleague in Lucknow who is from Gujarat
Date/Time: Sun 14 Oct 2007 12:49:01 PM CDT
Fraction of the traditional Gujarati headgear
the group is the equivalent of Sons of Norway
Date/Time: Sun 14 Oct 2007 12:49:34 PM CDT
They were all very kind
They were all born in Gujarat, and joined the group to keep in touch with their roots
Date/Time: Sun 14 Oct 2007 12:49:44 PM CDT
Construction of Durga Puja pandal
(remember that pile of bamboo way back when? This was the purpose)
Date/Time: Sun 07 Oct 2007 04:09:55 AM CDT
Durga Puja Pandal (finished)
the "bubbles" are my flash reflecting off the dust in the air. [cough cough]
Date/Time: Fri 19 Oct 2007 09:47:04 AM CDT
Durga herself
the statue must contain mud from a brothel, and once Puja is over, all the stautes will be immersed in a river, lake or sea
Date/Time: Fri 19 Oct 2007 10:12:33 AM CDT
Durga on the way to the water
Once Puja is over and she has successfully slain the demon, her statues are submerged into the river, so this one is on the way
Date/Time: Sun 21 Oct 2007 04:44:55 AM CDT
Camel!
on the outskirts of south Delhi. We made the driver turn around so we could take a picture
Date/Time: Sun 21 Oct 2007 05:16:20 AM CDT
Growing in adversity
Or, slow destruction of archaeological site
Date/Time: Sun 21 Oct 2007 06:00:00 AM CDT
Keystone arch
On on the outer ramparts of Tuglaqabad Fort
Date/Time: Sun 21 Oct 2007 06:26:28 AM CDT
Monkies riding a bike
and they danced too, but refused to let him show us.
Date/Time: Sun 21 Oct 2007 05:38:40 AM CDT
you can kinda see one of the demons (there were three)
The center one is Ravana, then his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnad
Date/Time: Sun 21 Oct 2007 07:54:23 AM CDT
In the light of one burning, you can see the other two
The day is called Dusserhra (Tenth Day)
Date/Time: Sun 21 Oct 2007 08:23:48 AM CDT
Buttery fly in Goa
We stayed at the Alidia Beach Cottages and they had lovely grounds
Date/Time: Thu 25 Oct 2007 11:03:00 PM CDT
Cannons at the church of St Francis of Assisi, Old Goa
Campus of several buildings, now being restored and made into various museums
Date/Time: Thu 25 Oct 2007 11:53:59 PM CDT
Main altar of Basilica of Bom Jesus
In a side chapel rests the "incorruptable" body of St Francis Xavier. Saw some pictures of his remains. Kinda Tales from the Crypt-ish
Date/Time: Fri 26 Oct 2007 12:25:26 AM CDT
Entre' to the Tropical Spice Plantation
We did the taste touch smell tour of the display "garden". What fun!
Date/Time: Fri 26 Oct 2007 03:58:58 AM CDT
Alcohol still
to make feni or arrak, alcohol from cashew fruit or coconuts. Did not actually consume any but thuoght the set up very interesting
Date/Time: Fri 26 Oct 2007 02:11:28 AM CDT
Vanilla in the raw
The pods appreantly take 1-2 years to ripen. May have to verify that.
Date/Time: Fri 26 Oct 2007 02:42:59 AM CDT
Spice picker climbing the tree
jumped from tree top to tree top
Date/Time: Fri 26 Oct 2007 02:52:44 AM CDT
Baga Beach on the Indian Ocean
Having breakfast at a beach hut. Felt like I was taking my life into my hands whenever we did this
Date/Time: Fri 26 Oct 2007 11:03:37 PM CDT
Anna and Me
Under our beach umbrella on Baga Beach, Goa. Still got burned.
Date/Time: Sat 27 Oct 2007 02:33:52 AM CDT
New Sari
This was actually Halloween in Lucknow. My coworkers enjoyed draping a lifesized doll
Date: 11/10/2007
My first rickshaw drive
also in Lucknow on Halloween, trying to find dinner
Date/Time: Wed 31 Oct 2007 08:33:14 PM CDT
Elephant in Amer Palace
Also knowns as the Amber Fort, there seems to be some confusion
Date/Time: Sun 04 Nov 2007 12:05:04 AM CDT
Still at the Amer Palace
Rajasthan was beautfiul and arid, like New Mexico, around Taos
Date/Time: Sun 04 Nov 2007 12:06:48 AM CDT
Hall of Victory at the Palace again
Reminded me a bit of the Neu Palai in Potsdam. No, mom, I didn't skate on the floor here (no felt slippers)
Date/Time: Sun 04 Nov 2007 12:55:28 AM CDT
Jal Mahal in the middle of Man Sarobar Lake
Didn't actually go in and the water smelled Foul, but lovely from a distance. And the lake is only there after monsoon
Date/Time: Sun 04 Nov 2007 02:41:11 AM CST
random hindu temple in Jaipur
beautiful and useless; what a shame
Date/Time: Sun 04 Nov 2007 02:54:51 AM CST
Potter
Telling me about how traditional Rajasthani blue potter is made. I got a special discount because I knew what copper sulfate changed into after firing. And maybe for another reason, but not going there.
Date/Time: Sun 04 Nov 2007 03:08:37 AM CST
Eating with my hands!
Traditional Rajasthani food, dal bati churma
Date/Time: Sun 04 Nov 2007 04:39:46 AM CST
My ruby red slippers
and matching hand bag, to go with my sari.
Date/Time: Tue 06 Nov 2007 09:47:40 AM CST
Mendhi for Diwali
Jayashree invited me to celebrate Diwali with her family and friends
Date/Time: Fri 09 Nov 2007 04:59:27 AM CST
Quick to draw, little longer to dry
So I had to shift for Jayashree while she drove us home
Date/Time: Fri 09 Nov 2007 04:59:37 AM CST
Measuring out the centre of the rangoli
An inverse of Jack-o-lanters, to invite good spirits in, in particular Laksmi, goddess of prosperity, not repel bad spirits
Date/Time: Fri 09 Nov 2007 06:19:52 AM CST
Last day of writing
PSI India staff: Celine, Chundra, Ragini, Sharswati, Jayashree
Date/Time: Fri 16 Nov 2007 01:58:40 AM CST
Upper arm
That was a hard picture to take since I had to use the same hand. Ended up using the mirror to see the camera screen and aimed as well as possible
Date/Time: Sat 17 Nov 2007 10:47:05 AM CST
The kitchen
this is what's left of the destroyed building next to mine.
Date/Time: Sat 17 Nov 2007 12:53:14 PM CST
The Window
through which I climbed and was darn glad to do so!
Date/Time: Sat 17 Nov 2007 03:18:45 PM CST
Early afternoon dancing in the streets
Drum, bell ringing, plate percussion
Date/Time: Sun 18 Nov 2007 03:24:06 AM CST
The lamps
Made me think of the men who carry flaming poles in Mardi Gras
Date/Time: Sun 18 Nov 2007 08:22:58 AM CST
The bride at the meeting place
her dress must have weighed a ton from the beading and embroidery
Date/Time: Sun 18 Nov 2007 12:41:36 PM CST
Our hotel in Jaipur Mandevi Haveli (I think that was the name)
Date/Time: Sun 02 Dec 2007 05:41:33 AM CST
Hawa Mahal
A screening wall for women of the harem so they would see what happened on the street
Date/Time: Sun 02 Dec 2007 09:19:35 PM CST
Elephant!
Getting ready for the early morning visit to Amer Palace (Amber Fort, Jaipur)
Date/Time: Sun 02 Dec 2007 09:58:33 PM CST
Another Elephant
They actually made Michal get on a different one becuase three skinny people were somehow too much compared to 2 heavy people
Date/Time: Sun 02 Dec 2007 10:01:12 PM CST
124 elephants total
owned by the Gov of Rajasthan, handled by locals
Date/Time: Sun 02 Dec 2007 10:02:44 PM CST
Looking up as we sew saw up the hill in the back of the elephant
Date/Time: Sun 02 Dec 2007 10:05:45 PM CST
Marble elephant in the public hall of the New Palace at Amer
Date/Time: Sun 02 Dec 2007 10:28:54 PM CST
More of the public area
its coated with a polished lime plaster
Date/Time: Sun 02 Dec 2007 10:31:50 PM CST
Street scene from Amer City
The "city" actually predates the current palace by a few hundred years
Date/Time: Sun 02 Dec 2007 11:56:54 PM CST
Jantar Mantar in Jaipur
Sister to the one in Delhi, although this one is more extensive
Date/Time: Mon 03 Dec 2007 12:20:28 AM CST
Me on my way to spend money!
Rug weaving and knotting in Jaipur
Date/Time: Mon 03 Dec 2007 03:20:49 AM CST
ACK! Rug Burning!
They take a torch to the backside to burn off stray threads. Can also tell if the rug in not 100% wool
Date/Time: Mon 03 Dec 2007 03:24:00 AM CST
Baby playing with a water hose while mum weeded the feild
Date/Time: Tue 04 Dec 2007 02:57:08 AM CST
Inside Sikri Fatehpur, on the way to Agra
Built by Akbar to commemorate the birth of his long awaited son. He abondoned the city after a decade
Date/Time: Tue 04 Dec 2007 02:49:19 AM CST
Center of a human parcheese board
at Sikri (the private place of Akbar)
Date/Time: Tue 04 Dec 2007 01:56:13 AM CST
Baby Tajin Agra
Predates the Taj Mahal by at least 50 years, also a tomb
Date/Time: Tue 04 Dec 2007 11:50:13 PM CST
Inlay work at B.Taj
Same craftsmen families probably did both monuments
Date/Time: Tue 04 Dec 2007 11:00:38 PM CST
The stones are not semi precious
include Indian Jasper, agate and others I didn't recognize
Date/Time: Tue 04 Dec 2007 11:01:43 PM CST
The roof is not a dome, but a "canopy"
The canopy is thought to be from Uzebekistan, where the Mugals were said to originate (before they came down from Afghanistan)
Date/Time: Tue 04 Dec 2007 11:13:26 PM CST
Brick kiln and the resultant bricks
Rajasthan, so there Must be a camel
Date/Time: Tue 04 Dec 2007 12:35:17 AM CST
Forecourt of Taj Mahal
Prevoiusly gardens, but appreantly the British tore them up to put down concrete so vehicles could drive through
Date/Time: Wed 05 Dec 2007 12:28:11 AM CST
Foot print in hundred year old cement
The cement was poured by the British in the late 19 century
Date/Time: Wed 05 Dec 2007 02:36:12 AM CST
Looking at the river Yamuna from the Taj platform
The Taj is built on the side of the river, so the structural engineering is rather impressive to accomodate the inherent squishiness
Date/Time: Wed 05 Dec 2007 01:08:57 AM CST
On the Shatabdi Express from Delhi to Amritsar
J's first train ride
Date/Time: Thu 06 Dec 2007 05:53:23 AM CST
Us at the Martyr Garden
British massacre happened here, so this is considered one of the foremost places fomenting resistance to the British ocupation
Date/Time: Thu 06 Dec 2007 11:43:58 PM CST
The Pirate (or rather Privateer)
M actually scared a little boy looking like this! A father wanted his toddler son to take a picture with M but when M kneeled down to talk to the boy, the boy wigged :D
Date/Time: Thu 06 Dec 2007 11:59:17 PM CST
The Temple is situated on a man made pond
The water is considered holy, so people drink it, bath in it and take it home as gifts
Date/Time: Fri 07 Dec 2007 12:09:43 AM CST
The Golden Temple
Amristar, Punjab, the spiritual center for Sikhs
Date/Time: Thu 06 Dec 2007 11:09:42 PM CST
Roti being made the traditional way
But they can't make enough for all the people who come for food
Date/Time: Fri 07 Dec 2007 12:33:02 AM CST
So the modern way of making roti!
Nifty machine that rolls, cuts and cooks the roti
Date/Time: Fri 07 Dec 2007 12:37:04 AM CST
When you eat at a Gurwara, you sit on the floor
That way Prince and Pauper are equal and mingling
Date/Time: Fri 07 Dec 2007 12:32:04 AM CST
Eating our auspicious meal at the Golden temple
One of the great Gurus of the Sikhs made it a duty of all Gurdwaras to feed any and all who come asking
Date/Time: Fri 07 Dec 2007 12:18:54 AM CST
No respect!
Waiting to go to the Retreat Ceremony on the border of India and Pakistan
Date/Time: Fri 07 Dec 2007 05:26:36 AM CST
Working the nationalistic fervor up to fever pitch
I was not entirely comfortable with the crowd sentiment
Date/Time: Fri 07 Dec 2007 05:56:00 AM CST
The Retreat Ceremony was prety agressive
Lots of symbolic sabre rattling, but in time with the Pakistan guards, so M was wondering if they practice together
Date/Time: Fri 07 Dec 2007 05:12:58 AM CST
This is the Special Bus
It is the only one that is allowed to go from Delhi to Lahore
Date/Time: Fri 07 Dec 2007 06:36:42 AM CST
J getting mendhi done
She was a bit skeptical; it is rather messy and gooey
Date/Time: Sat 08 Dec 2007 04:33:33 AM CST
